Banijay and All3 Join Forces, the Impact of Middle East Conflict, and Tricia Tuttle’s Continued Role
In a week marked by rapidly unfolding events, the film and television industry is closely monitoring developments around the globe.
Banijay & All3 Come Together
Middle East Conflict
Watch on Deadline
World holding its breath: The film and television community is on edge as the conflict in the Middle East escalates. With developments occurring hourly, BBC reports that residents in Tehran faced their “worst night” of Israeli strikes. Earlier in the week, the U.S. State Department advised Americans to depart the region due to significant safety concerns. This ongoing geopolitical turmoil is expected to impact the industry, particularly in the neighboring Gulf territories, which are now grappling with an unprecedented crisis. As the Eid al-Fitr holiday approaches, the U.S./Israel-Iran conflict is poised to have a detrimental effect on the regional box office, although cinemas in Qatar and the UAE remain operational for the time being. International news teams are striving to keep coverage accurate amid challenges posed by internet blackouts and restrictions on journalists in Iran. Notably, CNN’s senior international correspondent Frederik Pleitgen and his team recently crossed the border into Iran, marking the first entry of a U.S. network since the conflict began. His coverage will be closely followed as the situation evolves.
Tricia Tuttle Staying
“Irritations” over: The uncertainty surrounding Tricia Tuttle’s leadership at the Berlin Film Festival has sparked industry discussions. On Tuesday, a coalition of film festival directors issued a letter supporting her, confirming that she will continue in her role. Details of her new agreement with the German culture minister remain unclear. The German tabloid Bild was first to report that Tuttle, currently in the second year of a five-year term, will remain under new leadership conditions. The culture ministry’s statement suggested compliance with these recommendations, while the Berlinale has stated it will only “consider” them. Proposed adjustments may include the creation of an advisory forum and a code of conduct. Despite differences in the festival and government positions, German culture minister Wolfram Weimer assured a government committee that the prior “irritations” regarding the Berlinale are resolved.
The Essentials
🌶️ Hot One: Actors Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos), Danny Huston (Yellowstone), Paul Ben-Victor (The Wire), and Evan Handler (Sex And The City) have joined the cast of Gerard Butler’s upcoming action-thriller Empire City.
🌶️ Another One: The indie that spotlighted Slow Horses’ Jackson Lamb is now pursuing the adventures of the roguish antiques dealer Lovejoy, having acquired rights to the books by Jonathan Gash.
🔥 A third: Actors Sanjay Mishra, Rajesh Tailang, and Dolly Singh are set to star in the dark-comedy neo-noir Arjun Bewakoof from the makers of Andaman.
🌎 Global Breakout: Four years after the onset of the Ukraine War, the dramedy The Return explores the stories of veterans returning to Kyiv.
🏪 Setting up shop: The team behind White Lotus, Indochina Productions, has teamed up with L.A.’s Storyoscopic to develop Thailand’s BKK Films.
🏕️ Festival latest: Alberto Barbera of the Venice Film Festival has had his contract renewed for an additional two years.
🐱👓 A24: During a busy week, A24’s UK division hired Heartstopper executive producer Patrick Walters and won the auction to develop the Tower of London crime series We Are the Dead.
🖊️ Signed up: I Swear star Robert Aramayo has signed with CAA.
🎥 Trailer: The trailer for Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story, a Paramount+ Canada comedy focused on “the dirtiest race in history,” has been released.
🍿 Box office: Pixar’s upcoming release Hoppers is projected to debut at $88 million worldwide.
International Insider was written by Max Goldbart and edited by Jesse Whittock. Zac Ntim contributed.
